UKZN Westville Campus, Optometry Discipline
A state-of-the-art Mobile Eye Clinic, valued at more than R2,1 million, is to be donated to the University of KwaZulu-Natal Foundation to support the Optometry Discipline within the College of Health Sciences in delivering vital eye-care to rural and under-served communities across KwaZulu-Natal, where access to healthcare remains a challenge.
The fully-equipped vehicle provided by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) will enable the Optometry Discipline to conduct on-site eye screenings, comprehensive examinations and provide corrective eyewear, helping to reduce preventable vision impairment and improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Mr Gaff Osman, of the SAMCT, said: “By supporting this initiative, we aim to help bridge the gap in access to quality eye-care services in rural communities across the province. At the same time, this project will offer invaluable hands-on training for the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) optometry students, allowing them to integrate academic learning with practical service, while making a real difference in disadvantaged areas.”
KwaZulu-Natal’s rural communities often face significant challenges in accessing basic healthcare, inclusive of eye care services. Eye health is an often-overlooked aspect of overall health care, but vision problems can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, affecting their ability to work,
learn and engage with their community. Unfortunately, many communities, particularly in rural or under-served urban areas, face barriers to accessing eye care, such as lack of nearby clinics, transportation issues and financial constraints. These barriers often lead to undiagnosed and untreated vision problems, resulting in preventable disability and reduced quality of life.
Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan, Academic Leader for the UKZN Discipline of Optometry, added: “We are deeply thankful for this generous donation. The Mobile Eye Clinic represents more than just equipment – it is a lifeline for communities with little or no access to eye-care and an invaluable training ground for our students. It will allow us to fulfil our dual mission of advancing education and addressing healthcare inequities. Healthy vision is central to quality of life, education and employment.”
“This Mobile Eye Clinic will help us close that gap, while also ensuring that our students graduate as competent, compassionate practitioners ready to serve society.”
Mr Osman said: “This Mobile Eye Clinic initiative aligns perfectly with the SAMCT’s goals of improving public healthcare access and supporting educational advancement and is set to yield significant long-term benefits for both healthcare delivery and student development.”
He added: “We, of the SAMCT, are very pleased to be in a position to assist in meeting the University’s delivery of urgent access to eye care and student development through the provision of an appropriate vehicle. It will travel to remote locations across the province, bringing essential eye- care to those who need it most, while also offering students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a variety of settings.”
The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds. The organisation provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
The University’s Optometry Department has been in operation since 1980 and is one of the oldest optometry schools on the continent, with a strong clinical optometry education programme. The University has long partnered with the Department of Health to deliver a Decentralised Clinical Training Platform (DCTP). Optometry students participate in the DCTP, travelling in groups to clinics and hospitals across the province to participate in eyecare delivery.
Mr Osman said: “We applaud the University’s commitment to improving public health through community outreach programmes, such as the Mobile Eye Clinic, and its strong partnerships with local health departments, schools and community organisations, which will go a long way towards promoting and co-ordinating the programme. We are, accordingly, very pleased to have been able to support the University by purchasing and equipping a Mobile Eye Clinic with the necessary optical equipment.”
“Our donation effectively enables the team to reach communities in need, while providing optometry students with a unique learning experience that will benefit them in their future careers. We are confident that our support will give effect to a meaningful impact, both on the health of rural populations in KwaZulu-Natal and the future of the university’s optometry students.
Ends
For media inquiries, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Executive
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za
Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan
UKZN Discipline of Optometry
Tel: 031 260 8645
Email: ebrahimkhann@ukzn.ac.za
Mr Tebelo Kokoropo
Donor Relations Manager
University of Kwazulu-Natal Foundation
Tel: 031 260 3170
Email: kokoropot@ukzn.ac.za